The U.S. Travel Association bestowed the second annual Distinguished Travel Champion Award on five high-ranking U.S. officials. The recipients, who include Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), Sen. Amy Klobuchar (R-Minn.), U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), were honored for their exceptional leadership in advancing policies that strengthen travel to and across America.

U.S. Travel presented the awards at the association's Destination Capitol Hill—the industry's premier fly-in event for promoting travel-friendly legislation to further boost the industry as one of America's strongest economic sectors. "These 'Travel Champions' have helped make travel one of the most dynamic sectors of the U.S. economy," said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. "The U.S. officials recognized today have a proven track record of advancing policies that help make travel a major job creator and a driver of enhanced economic opportunity in communities all across the United States. We are privileged to honor Secretary Pritzker, Senators Thune and Klobuchar and Representatives Bilirakis and Quigley, and we hope other political leaders will take their cue in promoting increased travel by enacting supportive policies in the coming year."Penny Pritzker, U.S. Secretary of CommerceSecretary Pritzker has been instrumental in making travel a national economic priority. Her efforts to expand trade and investment have included support for increased travel exports. Throughout Secretary Pritzker's tenure, the travel industry has realized outsize job gains, creating jobs 33 percent faster than the overall U.S. economy since the recession that began in 2007.Sen. John Thune, S.D.Sen. Thune is a leader in Congress's upper chamber who understands the benefits of travel to South Dakota and the nation as a whole. As chairman of the powerful Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Senator Thune plays a critical role in strengthening America's travel sector. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Minn. Sen. Klobuchar has led on travel issues across the board. She introduced the Senate version of the bipartisan Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act of 2014, which reauthorized Brand USA—the private-public travel promotion program that is proven to strengthen the U.S. economy by welcoming more international visitors. U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Fla. Rep. Bilirakis hit the ground running as co-chair of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus by successfully shepherding the Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act of 2014—Brand USA reauthorization—through the House of Representatives. He continues to be a tireless champion of America's travel industry.U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley, Ill.As co-chair of the Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus, Rep. Quigley championed the all-important Travel Promotion, Enhancement, and Modernization Act of 2014—Brand USA reauthorization—and continues to support policies that will increase the benefits of travel in communities in Illinois and across the nation. Click here for more information about the second annual Distinguished Travel Champion Award.Learn more about Destination Capitol Hill here.